New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-05-23
THy FIGHT OYER THE ELECTRIC LIGHTS.

AWARDS TO Z MADE TO-DAY-THE BALL COM
pANY's BID WILL PROBABLY BE ACCEPTED.
The Das commission meets to-day to make the
award lighting certain OF the streets and avenues
with electric light. The Commission has twice ad-
journed in order TO give opportunity 10 the new
electric light companies to procure franchises from
the Aldermen and thus enable them to compete with
the older companies. The action OF the majority Of
the Aldermen Friday last renders the good inten-
lions OF the Gas Commission TO considerable extent
abortiye The Brush and United States Electric
Ieht Companies have for several years been without
Councillors The United States supplied that part
OF the city lying below Fourteenthst, and the Brush
all north OF Fourteenthst. Each charged 20 cents
per light per night, $255 so per year. Both re-
duced their bids to 65 cents per light Tor the present
year. The Gas Commission refused to accept these
proposals and again advertised for bids. The second
proposals no more Satisfactory than the first,
and again proposals were advertised for
On Monday last the Commission for the third time
opened bids. The United States bid 80 cents per
light per night. The Brush Company bid $9l 80 per
year Tor each light about 20 cents per light per
night and 1866 Per yeai Tor twelve extra 1000
oandle-powe lights The Ball Electric illuminating
COMPANY bid % cents night for each of 100 lights
contingent receiving franchise TO string wires
and will furnish tree five street lights Tor every fifty
furnished to private patrons. Ii will also make
tract Tor from to five yearsto furDshi oil the
street electric lights for q z cents per light per night
pe, wear for lights and Sl60 Tor others, agreeing
togiye the city free light for every fifty lights
furnished 10 private inulNluuai5. Inc Llght
ing Company bid 40 cents per light Tor night on
certain eets AZ cents on Others and 40 cents for
those on the Third Avenue Bridge and the Mount
Morris Park Tower. The North Newly York Lighting
Company bid STAG 90 per year Tor each light.
The resolution passed by the majority oil the Alder
men provides that franchises shall be granted TO all
electric light companies who have bid iOI contracts
before the Gas Commission, provided that they shall
furnish tree TO the city light for every five
furnished 70 private consumers that private indi
viduas shall pay no than the rate paid by the
city and that the companies shall furnish bonds in
S1UO U00 with two sureties that they will carry out
tho provisions of the franchise granted The old COM
pan:es the United states and Brush and the new
conner, the East River, which recently received d
franchise nave such onerous provisions as are im
plseo on the new companies, aud eau therefore under
bid the latter.
Il is believed that the ,,as Commission to day will
award certain territory TO the Brush Company and i'll
accept the bid OF the BAH Company, leaving the latter
furnish light to private at the same rate as
Is charged the city, The Corporation Coz nsel has
already given opinion that the Aldermen have no
power 10 impose q condition OF this kad. For the
terrjtory now covered by the United States and the
other companies the Commission will decide what is
best to be dore alter receiving the opinion of the Cor
poration Counsel the question OF the regularity Of
the various bids and the territory covered by them
good deal OF attention has been called to the Law
assumed in connection With electric lighting for
several years lawyer was elected chairman Of this
Committee The chalrmanship has been sometimes
given TO a Republican wben the Democrats had no
lawyer In the Board. Alderman Bowling tho present
chairman, IL saloon keeper in the WITH District
Instead OF being simply committee 10 pass on ques-
Iona OF law coming before the Aldermen In connee-